Police theorize that May was breaking up a fight between the dogs, who, according to a relative, are mother and son. The animals, which May had owned since they were puppies, had a history of fighting with each other, Hutchinson said.

The relative said the 11-year-old female golden-retriever mix is named Sammy, and the 6-year-old male Australian-shepherd mix is called Seth.

They are being held in separate cages at Brevard County Animal Services and Enforcement in Melbourne while workers there conduct an investigation, said the services' Capt. Bob Brown. They could be euthanized as early as next week.

Animal Services had received no prior complaints about them, Brown said.

May, who this year became a great-grandmother to twins, lived with her son, Steven Howard May, 47. He discovered her body after returning home from work about 5 p.m., police said.

Investigators think Lorraine May had been dead for several hours by then.

"She was a wonderful lady," said May's former daughter-in-law, Catherine May of Titusville. "She's been a pet lover her whole life."

Autopsy results revealed Friday that May died of "blunt-force trauma." A final report will not be available for about 12 weeks.

Police don't think that a third dog in the home, a cocker spaniel, was involved in the attack. May's family will decide what happens to it.